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'Modesty is only for those who have much to be modest about'
-Clifton webb 'Sitting Pretty
What are your thoughts on modesty-where does it fit into the taoist mindset? Is it ego to be modest, as if you have something noone else does? Is it worse to hide what you know or speak up and the fates be damned?
I'm fairly smart, and not afraid to blow my own horn. For years, I 'played dumb' to fit in with the crowd I chose to be with. I didnt read, or think much. This was killing me more than the booze and drugs. I wouldn't correct anyone even when i knew they were wrong, I'd seldom add anything deeper to a conversation than a belch...i wasnt being true to myself.
Now, I'm not suggesting i'm a genius-what i dont know fills several libraries, but at least i'm trying...and I'm not overbearing. I mainly try to guide people into thinking for themselves outside the mainstream...
When modesty is mentioned, most think of physical modesty-I'm naturally shy, withdrawn and quiet-yet i'm also a nudist and spent 5 years acting on stage...how do i reconcile these 2 halves of my personality? Well, I'm not an exhibitionist (I won't even wear shorts in public), and I don't take out billboards with my picture on them... I might start a website proclaiming my greatness, but that's be tongue in cheek, (and besides it's already been done...)
Can these parts coexist? I guess so, since they do in me...
So again, I ask, should modesty exist or is it just more phoniness?
In re reading this, i'm not sure i got my question across, even to myslef-nobodys answered yet and thats fine, alot of what I write i just need to get down on paper and see it for myself, thinking our loud of a sort-
in Buddhism there are two schools of thought: Mahayana or 'big raft' which deals with man's involvement with others, and Theravada or 'little raft ' which centers on man as an indiviual. One believes in spreading 'the faith', the other is concerned with finding the faith within yourself.
Wondering if theres sismlar distinctions in Taoism....
I'm more of a keep it to myself type of person, but once in a while i feel the need to share what i know, or think i know...and I'm always glad when others share as well, even if I disagree-especially, probably, if i disagree...
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